Braces are best suited for individuals with overcrowded or crooked teeth, gaps between the front teeth, dental issues and for those who may need or want their teeth straightened.

Beyond just aesthetics, misaligned teeth can cause other long term problems like tooth decay, gum disease and oral hygiene issues from improperly positioned teeth, which can make cleaning quite difficult.

Uneven teeth can affect the alignment of your jaw, potentially resulting in bite problems down the track or temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ).

The great news is you can easily straighten your smile and get support for your oral health with successful treatments from our highly experienced orthodontic team.

Let’s explore :

  • The key signs to indicate the need for braces
  • The health benefits of braces beyond aesthetics
  • The most ideal age for braces and the options available to you

Our helpful team of orthodontists in Baulkham Hills, Norwest, and the Hills area offer effective treatment that can provide you with a happy and healthy smile.

What Are the Signs to Know if you Need Braces?

While certain signs are more obvious than others like crooked teeth for instance, other dental issues may be more subtle and undetected.

In order to maintain your dental health and an aligned smile here are some signs to look out for and to know if you will need braces, including :

– Your Jaw Shifting and Moving :

Braces may be necessary to correct misalignment, especially if you observe your jaw shifting regularly or if you hear clicking sounds when you open and close your mouth

– Crooked Teeth :

One of the most frequent causes for seeking orthodontic treatment is crooked teeth.

This is due to the uneven movements of teeth which visibly appear to be unaligned, and can cause difficulty cleaning with a regular toothbrush and flossing on a daily basis.

– Early Loss of your Baby Teeth :

Early infant tooth loss can cause your permanent teeth to become misaligned and spaced out as an adult or teen.

As during the child’s growth development, the jaw structure is still moving into place with the early loss of teeth. This may indicate the need for braces to correct the teeth structure.

– Chewing and Biting Difficulties :

An overbite or underbite are symptoms of a malocclusion (teeth that are poorly aligned), causing difficulties with chewing food or biting down.

Braces are commonly used to fix this type of issue and used to adjust the jaw into the correct position.

Visit our helpful resource guide online to learn more about fixing an overbite.

– Crowded Teeth :

Crowding occurs when there is not enough room in your jaw for all your teeth to fix correctly.

Due to this, braces may be an option, along with a combination of tooth removal depending on your type of individual teeth and circumstances.

– Grinding your Teeth :

Bruxism, or teeth grinding may indicate your jaw isn’t correctly aligned. Through the use of braces this greatly assists by addressing teeth alignment which can reduce grinding so your teeth over the course of time are adjusted.

– Uneven Teeth Causing Bad Breath :

Teeth that are misaligned might make it difficult to maintain good oral hygiene and over time bacteria can build in those hard-to-reach areas, resulting in bad breath.

Braces can help you maintain proper dental hygiene by straightening your teeth.

If you are experiencing any of these signs our helpful and highly experienced orthodontists at Fox Orthodontics are available to help support you through the process, provide dental advice and corrective dental work so your teeth and health are managed and maintained.

What is a Good Age to Get Braces? 

Early adolescence or between the ages of 10 to 14, is generally the best age to acquire braces.

Although this can vary based on specific circumstances, this is because the jawbone tissue of preteens and younger adolescents is still relatively soft and repositionable, and they usually have all or most of their permanent teeth.

However, the timing also depends on the extent of the treatment requirements and the emergence of permanent teeth, which will affect how long the entire treatment will take.

When a child has lost all their primary teeth but before their second molars have come to the surface, typically between the ages of 11-13 we’d recommend beginning treatment around this age.

There is no upper age limit for receiving braces, though adolescence is usually the best time period.

Most orthodontic treatments can occur at varied ages, and many adults decide to get braces later in life.

The most important thing is to speak with our orthodontists, and we can determine the best course of treatment and assess your specific needs.

Are Braces Even Worth It?

Yes, braces are worthwhile, particularly if you require them for medical reasons or for alterations to straighten your teeth.

There are many great benefits with braces :

– Better oral health : Straight teeth are much more easily maintained, it lowers the build-up of bacteria, decreases the chance of gum disease and tooth decay.

– Improved bite function : By adjusting the misalignments in your teeth you can easily speak, eat and bite more effectively.

– Lower risk of tooth injuries : Teeth that are straightened and correctly moved into place are much less likely to chip, shatter and sustain other injuries over their lifetime.

– Prevention of jaw issues : TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders) and other jaw related problems can be avoided by treating misalignments as soon as possible.

– Increased confidence : Social interactions and self-confidence are uplifted and boost your mood due to straighter and healthier dental corrections from braces.

– Cost effective in the long term : Although braces require an initial investment of payment, they can save you in the long term and can prevent more serious issues in the future.

Our clinic offers payment plans to help so you can receive effective dental treatment for your needs.

You can get in touch and chat with our friendly and helpful staff to find out more information by phone or by booking an appointment online.

The Cost of Braces?

In Australia, braces normally cost between $5,500-$9,000 for traditional metal braces and between $6,500-$9,500 for clear aligners as of 2025.

Please keep in mind that prices may differ based on the type of braces selected and everyone’s unique treatments.

For a more detailed breakdown of braces, you can easily refer to our comprehensive guide on braces and aligner costs in Sydney.

How to Decide if You Need Braces? 

We’ll provide in-depth consultation and assessment of your teeth, to help determine your unique needs and will help support you through your dental journey at each step of the way.

For more than 35 years our team of professional orthodontists at Fox Orthodontics have been offering individualised treatment in Baulkham Hills, and to the local community.

Our team can help you with:

– Early intervention orthodontics for teens and children

– Orthodontic treatments for adults

– Traditional metal braces

– Lingual braces

– Clear aligners

– Surgical orthodontics for more complex cases

– Support and follow up appointments as required

Get in contact with our team today and schedule a consultation to take the first steps towards a healthy and beautiful smile.